A peek into my world...

Ready to see my new classroom?  It's the Orange room! All the rooms are colored to make it easier for the kids to locate their room, and it's bright and cheerful! 

"Welcome!  It's "beary" nice to see you!"

(On the glass part of the door is where the saying is taped. The room was still in progress when I took these pictures.)

This is facing out the classroom door.  You can see the cubbies, class helpers chart, and the cute library spot!

  

Below is a view standing by the classroom door.  My teacher/computer table is in the bottom left, and you can see a few of the centers in the back.  Check out the cute curtains!  They have followed me for 4 years of teaching!  Thanks momma :)

Blocks!  Bead Table...Thanks Jeanne!  Puzzles!  Do you like the Color Critters on the wall?  I love them!  

In the next picture you can see our writing center on the left and the math center at the Kidney shaped table.  The door joins Ms. Deb's room and ours.  The kids play in both rooms at center time.  We also have a bathroom in the classroom and a sink that are not pictured.  I am spoiled with facilities this year.

This is our "safe place".  Kids can go here if they are sad, angry, upset, or need time alone.  If you're thinking time out spot, well you are mistaken! ;)  We have strategies for dealing with such behavior.  The tree will become our family tree with pictures later on!

 Here is the adult sink and teacher storage area.  The door on the far left is my office.  I didn't take a picture, but it houses my desk and more storage.  It's nice to have it out of the kids way where I can close the door and keep them out.

Well this was just a peek!  Come visit us to see more!  We like visitors.  

We have had a successful 4 days of school so far.  Here's to finishing out the week strong!

-"Ms.Maria"

Vacation out East!!

Hello everyone!  I feel like I have so much to tell you about!  We had an awesome week vacation in VA!  We were able to reconnect with family and lots of friends!  To name a few, the wonderful Codding family, Hannah Wenger and boys, Tamara and Daniel Martin and baby Lucas (!!), Josh and Elizabeth Mann (and baby in belly), and college friends!!  So after the Yutzy wedding weekend we loaded up Big Red and drove 4 hours (further) East to the BEACH!!!  I grew up going to VA Beach with my mom's Risser family. Aaron and I were so happy to spend some time with cousins that we haven't seen in awhile! 

We had some interesting beach weather including clouds, rain each day, some sun rays, and crazy waves!  We stayed in a house called the "Gray Gosling".  This house was great because we were a block from the beach (walking distance) AND had a dock for access to the bay!   OH...and a hot tub!

We rented a Kayak for a couple days and went out each morning for a quick spin!

Anyone hungry for some seafood???  We had a big seafood dinner with the entire family for 30+ people.  So yummy!  Aaron had fried flounder, and I had fried shrimp!  

My two lovely cousins and brother Phil!  (from left:  Leah Risser and Lauren Troyer)  You can see Aaron and Andrea Yutzy in the background!  We had two big tables to accommodate everyone.

Hi!  We got a little sun kissed.

Thanks for an awesome vacation mom and Aunt Jewel!  You two are beautiful!

Here's the whole crew!  Ha...sometimes group pictures can be a hoot!  (photo credit:  Dad Yoder)

We played games in the evenings including Dominion!  

On Thursday afternoon Aaron and I headed back to Harrisonburg to catch up with some friends before heading home.  While Aaron stayed busy with a college friend, I was able to see some of my best friends from college!  (from left:  Lauren Yoder, Kelly Fry, Sarah Roth Shank)  I met Kelly's handsome baby, Liam, for the first time!  Lauren will be heading to Nicaragua in October for a year missions trip with her husband, and I was able to see Sarah's new house on Collicello Ave!  We had so much fun laughing, eating good food at Bella Luna in downtown Harrisonburg, and ending the evening in Singers Glen at Lauren Yoder's house!  Such a wonderful time with these beautiful ladies!

Next, we decided to leave at 3 am on Saturday morning and drive 15 hours to get to Kansas City, MO for a Royals baseball game!  We love going to these games and had great seats in the outfield!  I have learned to LOVE going to baseball games in the last 3 years.  It especially fun once you get to know the players and watch them on a daily basis. I know my dad enjoys that Aaron loves baseball!  Shout out to Eric Kratz (EMU alum) for being traded to the Royals team!

Selfie shot at the game!  We were both running on adrenaline and completely crashed after the game was over!  We got up Sunday morning and drove 3 more hours to get home to Hesston.  Did I mention Sunday was my birthday?!  Aaron was so sweet and took me shopping at a teacher store called Lakeshore Learning Store.  Teacher HEAVEN!  

We were incredibly happy and content after having an AWESOME vacation week!  We love you all and loved getting to catch up with everyone!  Currently, school has resumed and I am loving having these wonderful beach memories to get me through the year!  

Love you all!

-Maria

Yutzy Wedding!

 On July 2nd we celebrated the marriage of Ben and Risa Yutzy!  Aaron and I were so honored to be asked to sing a song during communion and be in Virginia with family and friends!  My brother, Nate, was a groomsmen!  He is standing 2nd on the right.  Risa's dress was beautiful and the weather turned out great!   Outdoor weddings can always cause a bit of stress, but it turned out beautiful!  

Dad was the sound-man and Phil helped during the service.  He's always happy :)

 For those of you who don't know, Ben is my first cousin who I grew up with.  Ben and Risa picked some great music for the wedding!  Below are my cousins Elizabeth Barthlow, Lena Weaver, and Jason Barthlow.  

Hi! :)  Thanks to my good friend Rachel for letting me borrow her cute dress!  I got to accessorize with my cowgirl boots :)  Aaron followed suit!

The married couple planned to drive away in this sweet car!!

I am lucky to have him as my wedding date!

Nate and Maggie...we definitely want to come visit ASAP!  We miss you two (doctors) already!

Reception Time!  The wedding was held at Trissels Mennonite Church and the reception was held in the fellowship hall at Zion Mennonite Church.  Here are my cute grandparents!  They are the definition of sweet and loving!  Side note:  Grandpa Risser had balogna made especially for us to take home to Kansas!  Our freezer is completely stocked with beef as well!  

I love my siblings!  (Mom was helping to orchestrate the reception...she has her trusty notes in hand!)

More good music!!

The happy couple!

The Yutzy wedding was the beginning of a wonderful week-long vacation in VA!!  Beach pictures to come!